March 14, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET
- Frozen ground prevented snowmelt from replenishing groundwater, leading to continued low water levels.
- Officials are urging residents to conserve water, with Nantucket imposing mandatory restrictions and fines.
- Cape Cod and the Islands are particularly vulnerable as they rely almost entirely on local groundwater aquifers.
February’s blizzard buried Cape Cod under mounds of snow, but all that frozen precipitation didn’t ease the drought that has plagued Massachusetts for two years.
Because temperatures remained below freezing, much of that water stayed locked in snow and frozen ground, and on the recent warm days has run off into storm drains rather than soaking into rivers, ponds, and groundwater, according to state officials.
As a result, residents on Cape Cod are being urged to conserve water as drought conditions continue across the state. Nantucket has imposed mandatory restrictions and fines for violations. Conditions are listed as “normal” for Dukes County.
“This drought has been building since 2024, and we’re still seeing the effects in low streamflow and lower water levels across the state,” Rebecca Tepper, secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said in a statement. “Even though we had a snowy February, it won’t be enough to replenish the groundwater after such a long period of drought.”
Even when the snow melts, state officials said the two to three feet that fell in some areas during Winter Storm Hernando on Feb. 22-24 amounts to only about two and a half inches of water – not enough to fully recharge rivers, lakes, ponds and groundwater after months of below-average precipitation and substantial water deficits.
Tepper has declared worsened drought conditions in several parts of the state after a state task force reviewed data from August 2024 through the end of February 2026.
As of March 9, Cape Cod’s status stands at a level 2 “significant drought.” Nantucket improved slightly from a level 3 “critical drought” declared in mid-February, but island leaders have placed the island under a “mandatory” level 2 drought condition.
Unlike many parts of Massachusetts that rely on reservoirs or large regional water systems, most towns on Cape Cod and the Islands depend almost entirely on groundwater drawn from local aquifers. That makes the region particularly sensitive to long stretches of dry weather, since rain and snowmelt must seep through to replenish drinking water supplies.
Across Cape Cod, many towns have already imposed restrictions, usually limiting outdoor watering and irrigation to certain days or hours. Nantucket’s current restrictions go further, making conservation mandatory and imposing fines for violations.
Several regions in the state have worsened from previous drought status. The central and northeast regions are now in a level 3 “critical drought,” according to the Energy and Environmental Affairs office, while the Connecticut River Valley has moved to a level 2 “significant drought” and western Massachusetts is now in a level 1 “mild drought.”
For that reason, Tepper said, “it’s important for everyone to be mindful of how we use water. Small actions can help protect our water supply while conditions recover.”
Cities and towns where significant drought has been declared are being urged to limit outdoor water use, including washing hard surfaces, vehicles and boats.
State officials hope warmer temperatures and rain expected this month could gradually help replenish water systems.
Nantucket leaders issued an advisory on March 12 informing residents that, effective immediately, automatic irrigation of any kind, including drip irrigation, is prohibited. Residents may use handled hoses or watering cans only, and must limit washing decks, sidewalks, driveways and streets.
“Due to the severity of the drought currently occurring on island, the Nantucket Water Commission unanimously voted to establish fines for those on town water who violate the mandatory use restrictions,” according to the March 12 alert.
A first offense will result in a warning. A second violation carries a $250 fine, a third a $500 fine, and a fourth offense will result in water service being shut off to the property.
The drought status on Nantucket will be reviewed monthly, officials said.
Barnstable County has not issued any new drought advisories since the state agency’s announcement, though county officials have continued outreach on groundwater conservation.
In the past week, the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment promoted a Groundwater Awareness Week event about Cape Cod’s aquifer and water resources. Residents saw a presentation “The Unseen Lifeline: Groundwater’s Role in Cape Cod’s Ecosystem.”
The presentation examined how groundwater supports everyday life on Cape Cod, feeding rivers, ponds, wetlands and marshes, coastal waters and estuaries, as well as drinking water supplies.
Under the state’s drought management plan, agencies will monitor conditions and coordinate with towns, including local boards of health, to track effects, such as private wells running dry. Residents are encouraged to report wells that stop producing water to their local health board.
State environmental officials said the Drought Management Task Force will meet again April 7 to reassess drought conditions.
Heather McCarron, hmccarron@capecodonline.com, writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable, Brewster and Falmouth.
